373rd instructor also good Samaritan

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kristina Newton
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  It was just before 5 p.m. Feb. 8 when Tech. Sgt. Christopher Smith, Det. 7, 373rd Training Squadron mission system instructor, came upon the scene of an accident.

He was heading home from an ordinary day at work, traveling his normal route on Highway 85, when he saw a small truck which was now crumpled and smoking. His first thought was to help in any way he could.

Sergeant Smith said he and a few other people got the driver and a passenger out of the vehicle and made sure they were safe before attempting to remove the third person from the truck.

But when they tried to get the third person, Sergeant Smith said they couldn't get the door open, and to make matters worse, the victim was also trapped by the dashboard.

"Once I noticed there was a teenager trapped in the truck, I worried about his safety," he said. "There was a large amount of blood in the truck, and he was unresponsive."

After trying to pry the jammed door open with a tire iron, Sergeant Smith said they decided to immobilize the injured man's head and wait for rescue personnel to arrive.

Sergeant Smith also made a call to the driver's family, at the driver's request, to let them know what was happening and where their loved one was being taken.

Speaking of the accident and how it affected him, Sergeant Smith said he was extremely comforted knowing so many people were willing to help.

"I have a son who will be 16 soon, and I just hope if he were in the same situation someone would help him," he said.

Capt. Jhames Illanez, Det. 7, 373rd TRS commander, said he wasn't surprised Sergeant Smith took immediate action.

"He's always willing to help out, that's just the kind of person he is," Captain Illanez said. "I am very proud to have him on my team."

The three individuals involved in the accident were all between the ages of 18 and 20. According to local news sources, two of the individuals are recovering from their injuries, but the third person's condition was unavailable.